Tottenham Hotspur were in dire need of a win on Sunday against Everton, but The Toffees also needed the three points. In an intense affair where both teams lacked ideas to clear chances, Dele Alli scored the only goal in regulation and seemed minutes away from securing the three points. However, a stoppage-time goal from substitute Cenk Tosun allowed Everton to escape with a draw. Either way, this match will be remembered by Andre Gomes’ gruesome knee injury late in the second half.
A tightly-contested first half ends scoreless
Both Tottenham and Everton needed the three points considering their situation in the standings. However, their performances during the first half didn’t show that. Despite the fact both clubs attempted to play with a positive approach, neither club was unable to test the opposing playmaker.
The first clear scoring chance came in the 22nd minute when full-back Serge Aurier tested Jordan Pickford from long range. The Ivory Coast international appeared to send a cross into the box, but the England international was excellent to deny the Spurs’ first goal. That play was the catalyst for the match to become slightly more intense, as neither side created anything even remotely dangerous in the first 20 minutes of action.
Even though the match had increased intensity in the second part of the first half, the lack of chances was alarming. As a result, the first half ended scoreless and there were only a few scoring situations on either end.
Dele Alli scored Tottenham’s lone goal at Goodison Park
Tottenham looked better in the second half and quickly gained control of the ball. Everton were unable to recover possession away from their own end, and looked lost in the early goal. Richarlison had a scoring chances with a turnaround inside the box, but the Spurs seemed on top. And they translated that into the score during the 62nd minute.
Alli opened the score for the Spurs with a great finish past Pickford. Alex Iwobi made a mistake and Tottenham took advantage of that with a great passing sequence capped by the England international.
Everton had a golden chance to even things up, but the referee denied a potential penalty call for The Toffees when Alli committed handball inside the box. It seemed like a clear penalty, though. Surely, this is one of the controversial plays that pundits will analyse all week long.
Andre Gomes’ injury changed complexion of the game before Cenk Tosun’s equalizer
The biggest play in the second half was not Tottenham’s goal, though, but Andre Gomes’ injury. The Portugal international suffered a gruesome injury where his knee suffered an exposed fracture. Son Heung-Min was sent off due to the challenge, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the South Korean receives an extended ban due to this foul.
Between the potential penalty and Gomes’ injury, the referee decided to play 12 minutes of stoppage time. The Spurs decided to sit back and protect the result, but their bet didn’t pay off. Substitute Cenk Tosun managed to equalize the contest in the 98th minute with a great header following a cross from Lucas Digne.
The match ended with a 1-1 draw. And given how the match happened, the draw ended being a fair result. Even if it didn’t help either side given their position in the standings.
Match Report
Everton: Jordan Pickford (5); Djibril Sidibe (6), Yerry Mina (6), Mason Holgate (6), Lucas Digne (7); Fabian Delph (6); Theo Walcott (5) (Cenk Tosun (7), 75’), Tom Davies (6) (Gylfi Sigurdsson (-), 84’), Andre Gomes (5) (Dominic Calvert-Lewin (-), 81’), Alex Iwobi (4); Richarlison (6)
Bench: Jonas Lössl (GK), Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Moise Kean
Tottenham: Paulo Gazzaniga (5); Serge Aurier (6) (Juan Foyth (-), 88’), Toby Alderweireld (6), Davinson Sanchez (5), Ben Davies (5); Moussa Sissoko (5), Tanguy Ndombele (5) (Giovani Lo Celso (-), 73’); Son Heung-Min (4), Christian Eriksen (5) (Ryan Sessegnon (-), 90+12’), Dele Alli (6); Lucas Moura (5)
Bench: Michel Worm (GK), Harry Winks, Eric Dier, Troy Parrott
Goals: Alli (0-1, 62’), Tosun (1-1, 90+8’)
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Yellow Cards: Walcott (EVE); Eriksen, Ndombele (TOT)
Red Cards: Son (TOT)
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